The long-anticipated renovations at Whistler Plaza are underway after multiple delays.
Underground work to surface the plaza's catacombs began in June with plans to reopen the plaza to the public by the end of 2027. The project is Phase 1 of a much broader redevelopment of the entire City Market block, with Whistler Plaza being budgeted at $15 million.
It's been more than two years since the City Market was closed in March of 2024. The city originally planned for the space to reopen in 2026. Now that visible construction has started this summer, Megan Vukusich, director of the city's Department of Metropolitan Development, said she is excited.
"There's been a lot of conversations and behind-the-scenes work that's been done on any redevelopment project, but especially a redevelopment project with historical features in the heart of downtown," Vukusich said.
The department doesn't anticipate any further delays but will address any complications if they arise.
"We've got an amazing team of experts, engineers, architects, people that have done work like this in the past that are helping us in putting a plan in place that is successful," Vukusich said.
Several companies are working on the redevelopment, including architecture firm Merritt Chase. The firm developed a design that uses the catacombs' brick arches and limestone columns as part of a public green space.
The catacombs aren't actually catacombs. They are the remains of Tomlinson Hall, a music venue that was opened in 1886 and burned down in 1958. The hall's basement has been used sparingly throughout the years and is preserved as a historical site.
Principal of Merritt Chase, Chris Merritt, said they want to ensure they maintain the integrity of the building's historical elements.
"Many conversations with stakeholders and community members about the history of the site and a desire to bring the history of the catacombs in Tomlinson Hall kind of into the daily life of the public. Today it's buried underneath the plaza, and most people don't even know it's here," Merritt said.
To protect the columns during the removal of the basement's roof, the columns will be wrapped in waterproofing material, and the basement will be temporarily filled with a flowable fill material to preserve the original masonry. The company did a test in a small corner of the area, and Merritt said this method works.
"We've figured out the technical challenges, and there will be more, but we have a great team of engineers and architects, an amazing construction team that's all helping us move this forward, so we'll be excited to open it next fall," Merritt said.
Alongside the open space, 20 trees will be planted to provide shading for the area. Merritt said the goal is to create a space that also incorporates nature into the historical landmark.
"Thinking about what attracts people to this space and the history, but grabbing lunch or a snack or drink at the market, wanting to sit under a tree canopy amongst all this, I think will be a really kind of dynamic space for the city," Merritt said.
Another partner for the project is Browning Day. It will manage the selective demolition of the site to prepare it for construction. The goal is to recycle as much material as possible to reduce costs.
Phase 2 of redevelopment is the opening of the Market Hall proper. That phase is still being planned out as the DMD continues to seek community input in the coming months.
"We've heard a lot of great ideas, and so we're taking all of that feedback and saying, you know, what is a financially responsible plan that can be put in place for a long-term successful City Market," Vukusich said.
The total cost of the City Market redevelopment is yet to be determined.
Contact WFYI reporting intern Daniel Huber at dhuber@wfyi.org
